Pat Dooley’s teammates join tournament in memory of teen
For Richard Augustus, the golf season doesn’t officially begin until he makes a solitary, early- morning walk out to the 16th hole at Hazelmere Golf Club in Surrey and spends a few moments standing by a tree, reflecting upon a special young man.
Augustus, a teacher at Elgin Park secondary school in Surrey and longtime coach of the school’s golf team, has been making that walk for six years now as his personal tribute to the memory of Pat Dooley.
That tree, located on the right side of the 16th hole along with a commemorative plaque, was planted six summers ago to honour Pat, who died suddenly in 2008 at the age of 16.
“I visit his tree every year when the golf season starts,” Augustus told participants in the annual Semiahmoo Rotary Club Pat Dooley Memorial Junior Golf Tournament at Hazelmere. “I do that on my own, I come out here in February, I walk out to the 16th hole at about 6: 30 or 7 in the morning, I have a chat with Pat and then I go to work. I do that before every golf season.”
Augustus made another visit to that tree during last week’s tournament, only this time he was not alone. Standing beside him were four young men who were Pat Dooley’s teammates on the Elgin Park team.
Spencer Foley, Andrew Gladiuk, Thomas Rae and Matt Stone joined their former coach and played in the event as a tribute to their former teammate and friend. Elgin Park’s former principal. Kevin DeBoice, also attended the tournament.
“It was very emotional,” Augustus said. “There were just a flood of memories … I thought it was important to bring the boys back to connect again because they were a big part of my life when they were in high school and a big part of Pat’s life.”
No one appreciated that gesture more than Steve Dooley, Pat’s father, who walked a couple of holes with Augustus and Pat’s former teammates.
“It’s neat that six years later they are thinking of Pat, they are coming together to play in his memory,” Dooley said. “You never get over losing a son, but things like this are really helpful in terms of helping you move through it.”
Steve Dooley has refused to let the memory of his son fade away. He speaks each year at the tournament that bears his son’s name and, with the help of family and friends, compiled a book about Pat’s life.
It’s called Take Pat With You, and Steve Dooley hopes that some may find inspiration in his son’s life. Golf was a big part of that life.
Pat absolutely loved golf, spent three years as a member of the Elgin Park team and worked part- time in the food and beverage department at Hazelmere. When he wasn’t in the kitchen, he could usually be found on the putting green.
“This golf course is very special to me,” Steve says. “I remember Pat chipping on that green over there. He worked in the restaurant and I had to pick him up late at night and he wouldn’t be ready and I am wondering where the heck is he and he was out chipping. So I went out and spent some time chipping with him at 2 in the morning. It’s a pretty special place with lots of memories.”
Pat’s teammates remember him as a kid with a heart of gold who had an unmatched passion for golf. They all welcomed the opportunity to pay tribute to their friend on Wednesday.
“His work ethic and the amount of time he put into being better at golf is what I remember,” says Matt Stone. “I played volleyball with him as well. He just continued to push himself. There was no doubt I was going to be here today and it’s good to get these guys back out and play again as a foursome. It’s always neat to go and stop by Pat’s tree on 16.”
“I remember his character,” says Thomas Rae. “He was always one of the guys, but he was always really encouraging and was a great kid to be around. It’s great to be part of this and remember him this way.”
Augustus says Pat epitomized just about everything a coach could want in a student athlete.
“I think for me it was just his commitment to anything he ever did,” he says. “He went into anything he did with a full heart, whether it was woodworking or golf and or volleyball. He was committed, particularly to golf, which I saw firsthand. That is why it has been so important to keep this tournament alive and that memory of him and what he stood for … that’s why we hold the tournament.”
Pat Dooley died Feb. 5, 2008, one week shy of his 17th birthday, and just days after contracting a mysterious illness that was later identified as viral encephalitis.
Steve Dooley, who is executive director of Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus, acknowledged that the reunion of his son’s former team made for an emotional day, but said that golf and the people who play it have helped him deal with his profound grief and aided his healing process.
“When you lose a child it is the worst thing that can happen. But he is still my son. I still like talking about him, I still like celebrating him. A lot of times people think they have to be sensitive about it. He is still my son, the stories are still there. I was out there with the kids for a couple of holes and watching them walk, I could picture Pat with them. In a way it’s sad, but it’s also very helpful. The memories are still there.”